Carriage footwell



Oct. 27, 1936. N. J. KROLL ET AL CARRIAGE FOOTWELL 5 sheets sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1935 INVENTORS'. Samuel Krall and Naifian J Kroll J'HZJR ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 27, 1936. J, KRQLL 5 AL 2,058,997

CARRIAGE FOOTWELL Filed July 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q. Rf

lNVENTOR-i Samuel [frail and Natfian J lf'roll' THUR ATTORNEYS.

described and claimed.

reamed Oct. 21, 1936 onnamcn. roo'rwnm. Nathan J. Km]! and Samuel Kroll, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 29(1935881'281 No. 33,634 10 Claims. (01. can-4'1) This invention relates to a carriage footwell. It isan object of this invention to provide an improved carriage footwell which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and etficient in use. F

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved footwell or foot rest for a. baby carriage, doll buggy, toy carriage or the like.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter The invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the-preferred form of construction and in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a baby carriage embodying a preferred form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the same, on line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view, partly in section, on line 3-3 in Fig. 2, showing the'mechan ism for moving body of the carriage and for latching the same in raised position;

Fig.4 is a sectional view, on line 44 in 3, showing the footwell in raised and rearwardly extended horizontal position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view, showing the means, embodied in the present invention, by which the springs of the carriage are anchored to the supporting frame of the same;

Fig. 61s a. sectional view, on line 8-6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, partly in section, on

line 11 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view, partly in'section, on line 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 in Fig. 3;- and Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the foot rest or well in dropped or lowered position and in which position-itsacts as a foot rest forthe occupant of the carriage. 3

A carriage embodying a preferred form of the present invention is shownin the drawings, is therein generally indicated at l5, and for. the purpose of illustrating the present invention the same is shown as used in conjunction with a baby carriage which includes a body IS, a wheel-bearing supporting frame ll, front and rear wheels i8 and i9, respectively, which are carried by the said supporting frame I], and a handle or operating member which is generally indicated at 4| and which includes a horizontally extending the footwell relative to thehandle bar 42. The handle or operating member 4| includes depending arms 43 and these arms 43 include end portions which are attached,

as at 55, to horizontal extensions or. relatively narrow strips 59 which are formed as part of 5 the bottom wall (Fig. 6). v

Mounted on each of the extensions 59 of the; bottom wall 25 of the body l6 of the carriage or flooring 28 of the body l6 l5 and attached thereto, as at 52 (Fig. 6), are'lo F vertically spaced horizontally extending rails 44 which provide'trackways 25 (Figs. 3, 5; and 8).

The present invention is particularly concerned with the provision of a new and improved foot rest or footwell for a toy carriage or the like, and such a foot rest or well is generally indicated at 20in the drawings,- and is arranged at one end or the body l8 of the carriage I5, and preferably at the rear end of the same.

The foot rest or well 28 comprises an end or rear wall 2|, a base or bottom wall 22, and side walls 23. Mounted on the bottom wall 22 of the footwell 28 is a horizontally extending rod 24 and this rod 24 has end portions 39 which project between the top and bottom walls 44 01' the trackways 25 so as to be slidable therein (Figs. 3 and 8).

Inward movement of-the foot rest or well 20,

(right to left, Fig. 3), relative to the body I8 01' baby carriage, doll buggy, 15

(Fig. 3) upon the bottom ,wall 22 of the foot. 35

rest orwell 20 is a lever 28 which includes a bandle portion 29 and this'handle portion 29 projects. rearwardly of the foot rest or well 20 so that it may readily be grasped by the operator of the carriage; and attached to the lever 28 is a. coil spring 30 which urges the lever 28-29 into its normal or initial position (as in full lines, Fig. 3).

Pivotally connected to the lever 28, between the ends ofthe latter, as at 3| (Fig. 3), is a latch-' 5 rod 32 which is slidably mounted upon the bottom wall 22 of the foot rest or well 20 (Fig. 3), and pivotally connected to the lever 28 at one end of the latter, as at 33, is a latch rod 34 which is likewise slidably mounted upon the bot tom wall 22 of the foot rest or well 20 (Fig. 3). The latch rod 32 has an end portion 35 (Figs. 3 and 9) which is slidably mounted in the corresponding trackway 25 (Figs. 3 and 9), and this end portion 35 of the latch rod 32 is latchingly .55

engageable in a socket or recess 36'which is formed in a flat metal re-iniorcing bar or plate 54 (Figs. 6 and 8) ;there being one of these bars or plates 54 between the horizontally extending rails 44 of each. of the trackways 25; and similarly, the latch rod 34 is slidably mounted in the other trackway 25 and has an end portion 31 which is latchingly engageable in a socket or recess 38 which is formed in the corresponding plate or bar 54 (Fig. 8).

Formed in the lower or bottom rails 44 of the trackways 25 (Figs. 3 and 8), in alignment with the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, are openings or slots 69.

Attached to' the flat metal reinforcing bar or plate 54 and at opposite sides ofthe carriage l5 (Fig. 4), are depending guideways or trackways 46 and the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, are engageable in these trackways or guideways 46. 4 Formed in each of these guideways 46, adjacent the lower end of the same (Fig. 4) is a latch opening 58 and the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, are latchingly engageable in these openings 58 so as to hold the foot well 29 in lowered position,.(as in Fig. 10), as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Provided in each of the metal plates 54 (Fig. 5) is a transversely extending slot or groove 48, (Fig. 5), and mounted in each of these grooves 48 is an arm or bar 49. Extended into a suitable opening provided therefor in each of the bars 49 is a truss bolt 41 (Fig. 9). Each of these truss bolts 41 supports a yoke 59, and the end portions of the springs 5| of the carriage are attached to the supporting frame I] of the carriage by means of these yokes 59.

A strip of elastic fabric or other flexible elastic material 53 (Figs. 4, 7, and 10) is inserted between the inner end of the footwell 29 and the bottom wall 26 of the body i6 of the carriage, this elastic fabric strip 53 having one end attached to the foot well 29 and having its other end attached to the bottom wall 26 of the body I 6 of the carriage I5. I

Provided in each of the metal bars 54 adjacent the rear or outer end of the same (right hand end, as seen in Fig. 8), is a recess or socket 56 and mounted in each of the trackways 25 adJacent the corresponding socket or recess 56 is a stop 51.

Operation 3 are normally urged, by the spring 39, into latching engagement with the sockets or recesses 36 and 38, respectively, which are formed in the rails 54.

However, if the operator of the vehicle desires to extend the foot rest or well 29 so as to provide,

in effect, a horizontal extension or elongation of the bottom wall of the body l6 of the carriage i5, this may be accomplished by moving the hand lever 28-29 (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 3), against the action f the spring 39, thereby withdrawing the end por tions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, out of latching engagement withthe sockets or recesses 36 and", respectively, which are formed in the rails or bars 54, whereupon the foot rest or well 29 may be drawn rearwardly (into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4, position B, Fig. 1) by means oi. the handle portion 29 of the lever 28, it being noted that during this movement of the footwell 29, relative to the body I6 of the carriage l5, the end portions 29, 25 and 31 of the rods 24, 32, and 34, respectively, ride upon the bottom rails 44 of the trackways 25.

When the footwell 29 reaches its rearwardly extended horizontal position (as in Fig. 4; position B, Fig. 1), the operator releases the handle or lever 28-29, whereupon the tensioned spring 39 urges the lever 28-29 back into its initial position (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 1) thereby projecting the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, into the sockets 56 which are formed in the metal rails or bars 54 (Fig. 8), and thus latching the footwell 29 in its rearwardly extended horizontal position (as in Fig. 4, position B, Fig. 1), and in which position the footwell 29 provides, in effect, a horizontal extension of the bottom wall 26 of the body i6 of the carriage l5 so that theis limited by the engagement of the end portions 35 and;31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, with the stops 51 which are arranged in the trackways 25 (Fig. 8). Q

To return the footwell from its rearwardly extended horizontal position (as in Fig. 4, position B, Fig. l), the'lever 28-29 may be operated (from full to dotted line position, Fig. 3), so as to withdraw the end portions, 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, out of the sockets 56, whereupon the tensioned elastic web 53 will return the footwell 29 back into its initial position (as in full lines, position A, Fig. 1), it being noted that during this movement of the footwell 29 the end portions 39, 35, and 31 of the rods 24, 32, and 34, respectively, ride upon the ing the footwell 29 in its normal and initial position (asin-full lines, position "A, Fig. 1).

However, if the operator of the vehicle desires to drop the footwell or rest 29 into lowered position (position 0", Fig. 1, or into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 10) this may be'accomplished by manipulating the latch handle 28-29,

from full to dotted line position, Fig. 3, so as to withdraw the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, out of their sockets 36 and 38, respectively, and then pivoting the footwell 29 downwardly, whereupon the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, will pass-through the slots or openings 69 which are formed in the bottom rails 44 of the tr'ackways 25 (Fig. 8), the footw'ell 29 being pivoted downwardly manually, by means of the handle or lever 28'23, until theend portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively,

come into alignment or registration with the latch openings 58 in the guideways or trackways 46 (Fig. '4) whereupon the tensioned spring 39 will urge the latch rods 32 and 34 apart so as to project their end portions 35 and 31, respectively, into the latch openings 58 (Fig. 4) thereby latching the footwell 29 in the position in which itis shown in Fig. 10, (position C., Fig. 1).

. posed in engagement with in the trackways 25, and that this position forms It is to noted that the end portions 39 of the horizontally extending rod 24 are normally disthe stops 40 provided To return the footwell from its lowered position, as in Fig.'10, back into its normal or initial position, (as in full lines, position A Fig.

1), the operator grasps the handle or lever 28- -29 and pivots the same (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. ,3) thereby withdrawing the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, out of latching engagement with the latch openings 58 which are formed in the guideways 46 (Fig. 4), whereuponthe tensioned elastic web 53 will pivot the .footwell2ll upwardly (counterclockwise, Fig. 10) untilthe end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, enter the trackways 25, whereupon the tensioned spring 30 will urge the end portions 35 and 31 of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively, into the sockets 36 and 38, respectively.

It is to be noted in connection with the present carriage that the flatmetal rails or bars 54 perform several functions, that is, they reinforce the relatively narrow extensions or strips '59 of the bottom wall or flooring .26, of the body l6 of v the carriage l5 (Fig. 9) they reinforce the trackways 25, betweenthe rails 44 of which they are arranged; they provide a means for anchoring the truss bolts 41; they act as guides for the end portions 39 of the rod 24, as well as forithe end portions 35 and.3'| of the latch rods 32 and 34, respectively; and they co-operate with the 'rails 44 of the trackways 25, and with the end portions '39 of the rod 24, to provide pivots for the footwell 20 during the operation-of moving the footwell 20 into and out of its dropped or lowered position (as in Fig: 10).

It is also to be noted that while the footwell 20 has been described'as applied specifically to a baby carriage, and this is the purpose for which it is primarily intended, it may also be used in conjunction with the like.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form'of construction for carrying our invention into effect, this is capable of variation andmodification, without departing from'the spirit-ofthe invention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set'forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and 'modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described-our invention what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a carriage of the character described, a. wheel-bearing supporting -frame, a bodf carried .by the said supporting frame. and;

including spaced, parallel, horizontally extengng trackways each having a socket formed t 'erein, each of said trackways including an upper rail and-a bottom rail and each of the latter having an opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one "end of said body and including a bottom wall, a member mounted upon the said bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting trackways for pivotally well upon the said body,

doll buggies, toy carriages, and

the 'said footwell upon the said body, means for latching the said footwell in raised position upon said body including latch members slid'ably mounted upon the said footwell and having end through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position.

2. In a carriage of .the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and. including spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including an upper, rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter having anopening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said-body and including a bottom wall, a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said mounting the said foot-v the said footwell in raised position upon the said body including latch members slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions receivable'in said socketsfmeans normally urging the said latch members'in a. direction to move thereof into said sockets;

the said end portions and a manually operable member for operating the said latch-members so as to move the said end portions thereof out-of, said sockets, against the action of said urging means, and downwardly well into.lowered position.

. 3. ma carriage of the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and including spaced, parallel, horizontallyextending track-,-

ways eachhaving a socket formed therein,each

footwell arranged at and means-for latching through said openings so as to move the said foot- '35 for/latching thesaid footwell in raised position upon the said body including latch members slidably mounted. upon the said footwell and having end portions manually operable member for operating the said latch members so as to move the said end portions thereof out of said sockets and downwardly through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position, and a flexible elas- -tic member having one end portion attached to the said body and having its other end portion attached to the said footwell for raising the latter from lowered position into upright or horizontal position. v

4. In a carriage of the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting. frame. and including spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including anu'pper rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter having an opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said body and including a bottom wall a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting the said footwell upon the said body, means receivable in said'sockets, a

for latching the said footwell in raised position upon said body including latch members slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions extending into said sockets, and a manually operable member for operating the said latch members so as to move the said end portions thereof out of said sockets and downwardly through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position means coacti-ng with the said latch members for latching the said footwell in lowered position, and means for automatically returning the footwell from lowered position to raised or horizontal position if and when the said latch members are moved out of latching engagement with the said secondnamed means.

5. In a carriage of the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and including spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including an upper rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter having an opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said body and including a bottom wall, a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting the said footwell upon the said body, means for latching the said footwell in raised position upon the said body including latch members slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions extending into said sockets, a manually operable member for operating the said latch members so as to move the said end portions said sockets and downwardly thereof out 0 through said openingsand thereby move the said footwell into lowered position, and a guide member carried by the said body at each side thereof and depending therebelow, each of said guide members having a latch opening formed therein, and the said latch members being receivable in said second-named openings for latching said footwell in lowered position.

6. In a carriage of the character'described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and including, spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including an upper rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter having an opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said body'and including a bottom wall, a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting the said footwell upon the said body, means for latching the said footwell in raised position upon the said body including latch members slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions receivable in said sockets, means normally urging the said latch members in a direction to move the said end portions thereof into said sockets, a manually operable member for operating the said latch members so as to move the said end portions thereof out of said sockets, against the action of said urging means, and downwardly through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position, and a ,guide member carried by the saidbody at each side thereof and depending therebelow, each of said guide members having a latch opening formed therein, and said latch members being urged ,by said urging means into said secondnamed, openings, when the said footwell is in lowered position, so as to latch the said footwell in lowered position.

'7. In a carriage of the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and including spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including an upper rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter having an opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said body and including a bottom wall, a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting the said footwell upon the said body, means for latching the said footwell in raised position upon the said body including latch members slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions extending into said sockets, means normally urging the said latch members in a direction to move the said end portions thereof into said sockets, a manually operable member for operating the said latch member so as to move the said end portions thereof out of said sockets, against the action of said urging means, and downwardly through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position, a guide member carried by the said body at each side thereof and depending therebelow, each of said guide members having a latch opening formed therein, and said latch members being urged by said urging means into said secondnamed openings, when the said footwell is in lowered position, so as tolatch the said footwell in lowered position, and means for automatically raising the said footwell into raised position if and when the said latch of latching engagement with said second-named openings against the action of said urging means.

8. In a carriage of the character described, a wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said supporting frame and including spaced, parallel, horizontally extending trackways each having a socket formed therein, each of said trackways including an upper rail and a bottom rail and each of the latter havingan opening formed therein, a footwell arranged at one end of said body and including a bottom wall, a member mounted on the bottom wall of said footwell and including end portions extending into said trackways for pivotally mounting the said footwell upon the said body, means for latching the said footwell in raised position upon said body including latch rods slidably mounted upon the said footwell and having end portions receivable in said sockets, means normally urging the said latch members in a direction to move the said end portions thereof into said sockets, a manually operable member for operating the said latch members so as to move the said end portions thereof out of said sockets, against the action of said urging means, and downwardly through said openings and thereby move the said footwell into lowered position, a guide member carried by the said body at each side thereof and depending therebelow, each" of said guide members having a latch opening formed therein, and said latch members beingdirged by said urging means into said second-named openings, when the said footwell is 'in lowered position, so as to latch said footwell in lowered position, and a flexible elastic member having an end portion attached to the said footwell and having an end portion attached to the said body for automatimembers are moved out cally raising the said footwell into raised posi- 75 horizontally extending trackways, springs for yieldably supporting the said body upon said frame, a footwell at one end of said body and ineluding a bottom wall, each of said trackways including a pair of vertically spaced horizontally extending rails, each of said trackways also including a reenforcing member arranged between.

the said rails of the same, each of said reenforcing members having a slot formed therein and extending transversely thereof, and means for attaching the said springs to the said body. including a member arranged .in each of said slots.

.10. In a carriage of the character described, a

wheel-bearing supporting frame, a body carried by the said "supporting frame and including spaced horizontally extending trackways, springs for yieldably supporting said body upon said frame, a-footwell at one end of said body and including a bottom wall, each of said trackways including a pair of vertically spaced horizontally extending rails, each .ofsaid trackways also including a reenforcing member arranged between the said rails of the same, each of said ree'nforcingi members having a slot formed therein and extending transversely thereof, means for'attaching the said springs to the said body including a member arranged in each of said slots, said last-named means also including a truss bolt attached to each of said last-named members for supporting the corresponding one of said springs.

SAMUEL KROLL. NATHAN J. KROLL. 

